semillerimages.com - Image of the week 6/15/05 Raspberry, Seeds and Cherry
Steve
I admit I have an addiction for pressing buttons. Specifically,
pressing the shutter button of my camera.
I have had the opportunity, entirely unplanned, serendipitous in fact,
to sit with the man who has influenced me more than any other in
regards to my photographic pursuits and banter about pictures, his and
mine, in the last months.
If you ever want to get a hold of me, Uptown Espresso in the evening
or morning... I sit, read the newspaper, and watch the people. You can
ask the employees if I have been there, as I am so regular. A result
of the taurus moon I was born under most likely.
Anyway, I have been there a couple of times when this man, Barry
Goyette, has come by. We sit and chat about this and that. He confirmed
for me this week, my suspicion about my addiction. It is overwhelming,
as I have described many times before, the output I create with my
digital cameras. Tens of thousands of pictures, and nothing to do with
them. Indiscriminant shooting. Well, that is a strong phrase I think.
I shoot too much.
>From the time of the last email, I have shot a few thousand images.
What to show? What will sell? What am I going to do with them?
I shot a project with my friend Pedro this last weekend, those images
will wait until he writes the accompanying story.
I bought a bunch of vegetables, fruits and flowers at the SLO Farmers
Market two weeks ago. Still lifes were my intention.
The evening I bought the subjects, a friend of mine Jerry Howe came by,
and he sat and watched me play with raspberries. We had a grand time.
Intermittent conversation, the flashing of the strobes. Obsession.
With the lack of a studio space, my apartment living room makes do.
Light is fickle. Light can be manipulated in so many ways, it is
insane. Studio lighting is the holy grail of photography. One can be
lucky and get great light out of doors, but it is skill to get great
lighting in the studio. I have not yet the proper skill with controlled
lighting. One day I will. Perhaps not the skill of Barry, but
comparable. One day.
Raspberries danced as sugarplums in my head as Jerry sat nearby. Click,
click, click. Pop went the lights. After he left I produced this image:
http://www.semillerimages.com/iow-link/iow-6-15-05-rasberries.html
The next day, the quest followed me.
My fruit, my vegetables. My flowers.
My tabletop.
I had bought these crazy flowers with absolutely remarkable seedpods.
The vendor told me what they were but I instantly forgot the name. I
tried and tried to get something fantastic. Whitecards, stobes, ambient
light, shutter speed and aperture. Voila.
http://www.semillerimages.com/iow-link/iow-6-15-05-seedpods.html
If someone can identify the plant, I would have gratitude.
I have never seen it before, and most likely with never again. I will
dry the pods. The man at Farmers Market said they will last. The future
prospect beckons me.
Paper was purchased at Penelope's closing sale. The girl at the
counter wondered why I wanted it. I told her for photographs. I finally
used it.
Simple, yet victorious. A shape so recognizable. Dust is evident on the
cherry at full magnification. The camera reveals too much.
Shallow depth of field, light that works for me.
http://www.semillerimages.com/iow-link/iow-6-15-05-cherry.html
May your week be cherry.
Regards,
*steve